In roadway incident safety, which side is used for mounting and dismounting to minimize exposure to traffic?

• A. The side away from oncoming traffic
• B. The side facing the scene
• C. The passenger's side
• D. The most visible side

Answer: (A)

Minimizing exposure to traffic on the roadway is the guiding idea here. The side away from oncoming traffic is used for mounting and dismounting because it places you on the shoulder side or behind the vehicle’s protective footprint, giving you a safer, more controlled path to enter or exit the rig while vehicles pass in the opposite lane. This arrangement reduces the chance of being struck as you step off or climb aboard and helps you maintain a stable stance with proper handholds. Other options don’t provide the same protection: moving toward the scene or toward the passenger side can put you closer to moving traffic or hazards, and simply choosing the most visible side doesn’t automatically reduce exposure to live traffic.